There is something wonderfully unhurried about July in the South.
The tomatoes are finally sweet enough to eat straight from the garden. Hydrangeas begin to fade into soft antique blues and greens. Porch swings stay occupied a little longer each evening, and the sound of cicadas reminds us that summer has settled in for a while.
It’s also the season that quietly prepares us for what’s next.
While the holiday rush may seem far away, my embroidery machine has already begun stitching Christmas designs, autumn colors are finding their way into the studio, and ideas scribbled in notebooks are slowly becoming the collections you’ll see this fall.
I always think this slower season is where the magic happens.
A New Little Tradition
This month, I’m especially excited to introduce something new—wreath charms.
Designed to hang from your wreath sash, these handcrafted keepsakes add one more layer of personality to your front door. Whether celebrating your favorite team, the changing seasons, or simply the things that make a house feel like home, they’re meant to become part of the story your wreath tells.
Current designs include playful squirrels, classic roses, and Clemson paws. Soon you’ll also find South Carolina Gamecocks, magnolias, pumpkins, and a collection of Christmas favorites joining the lineup.
You can shop wreath charms at Market on Main or simply reach out if you’d like to order one.
Come Say Hello
One of my favorite parts of this business has always been meeting people face-to-face. There is something special about hearing the story behind a family heirloom, helping choose the perfect monogram, or watching someone discover a design that reminds them of home.
If you’re nearby, I’d love to see you at one of my upcoming markets.
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Southern Threader Market - Greer - August 8
- Market on Main Pop Up - Spartanburg - August 22
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Vintage Market Days – Charleston - September 18–20
I’ll be bringing new designs, wreath charms, holiday previews, and plenty of Southern inspiration.
Saturdays Are Calling
Around here, the first hint of football season doesn’t arrive with kickoff—it begins in the embroidery studio.
College designs are already making their way onto the machine, with Clemson, South Carolina, West Virginia, and North Carolina among the first to return for fall. But school spirit doesn’t stop there. Cobblestones & Grits offers designs for more than 120 colleges and universities, making it easy to celebrate your alma mater, support your favorite team, or create a thoughtful gift for the college fan in your life.
Whether it’s a wreath sash welcoming guests on game day, embroidered napkins for tailgating, or a custom keepsake made just for your family, there’s no better time to start planning for Saturdays in the South.
Weddings, Stitched to Last
Some wedding details deserve to live on long after the celebration.
Our embroidered bouquet wraps become cherished keepsakes, personalized with names, dates, or meaningful sentiments. The Keepsake Package includes an acrylic display frame, allowing your bouquet wrap to become a beautiful reminder of your wedding day for years to come.
For a coordinated celebration, the Door to Table Package features a custom wreath sash with your wedding monogram and matching embroidered dinner napkins—welcoming guests from the front door to the table with timeless Southern style and thoughtful, heirloom-quality details.
You’ll also find a selection of Cobblestones & Grits wedding pieces at Love Me Some Lace Bridal here in Spartanburg. Supporting local businesses means strengthening the community we all call home, and I’m honored to partner with another small business that celebrates life’s sweetest moments.
From My Kitchen
Every month deserves a little something refreshing.
Pineapple Coconut Porch Mocktail
Fill a glass with pineapple juice, add a generous squeeze of cream of coconut, and whisk everything together with a milk frother until smooth and creamy. Pour over a tall glass of ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge if you’re feeling fancy.
It’s simple, nostalgic, and tastes like an afternoon spent somewhere with a porch swing.
Until Next Time
Thank you for following along as Cobblestones & Grits continues to grow.
Every wreath sash stitched, every napkin embroidered, and every charm molded by hand becomes part of someone’s celebration, holiday, or family tradition. That thought never gets old.
Here’s to slower summer evenings, front porches that welcome everyone, and the little details that make a house feel unmistakably like home.
Next Month in The Cobblestone Edit
We’ll take you inside Southern Threader Market, introduce more handcrafted wreath charms—including magnolias and pumpkins—and share the first look at this year’s autumn collection.
Until August,
Elise Catalano
Designer & Owner
Cobblestones & Grits
Southern Stories, Stitched.